Nikon
Zf
Retro-styled 24.5MP full-frame mirrorless with classic dials, EXPEED 7 AF, 8-stop IBIS, and 4K 60p video.
$2,049
Released Sep 2023
Sony
Alpha 1 II
50MP stacked flagship with 30fps RAW, 8K video, and Sony's fastest hybrid performance.
$6,499
Released Nov 2024
Alpha 1 II is 1.2 years newer.
Wins
Zf
Wins
Alpha 1 II
3 categories tied
TL;DR — Key differences
- BAlpha 1 II has higher AF points / zones (759 vs 273)
- BAlpha 1 II has higher EVF resolution (9,437,184 vs 3,690,000)
- BAlpha 1 II has higher Resolution (50.1 MP vs 24.5 MP)
- AZf has higher ISO max (native) (64,000 vs 32,000)
- BAlpha 1 II has higher 4K max frame rate (120 fps vs 60 fps)
Key specs at a glance
Size and weight, to scale
Zf
144 × 103 × 49 mm
630 g (1.39 lb / 22.22 oz)
Alpha 1 II
136 × 97 × 83 mm
743 g (1.64 lb / 26.21 oz)
Zf is 34mm thinner than Alpha 1 II but it is also 8mm wider and 6mm taller.
Zf is 113 g lighter than Alpha 1 II.
Depth (front-to-back): 49mm Zf · 83mm Alpha 1 II
Sensor size, to scale
Zf
35.9 × 23.9 mm · Full Frame
858 mm² area
Alpha 1 II
35.9 × 24 mm · Full Frame
862 mm² area
Lens ecosystem
Native lens selection
Zf
Nikon Z
90+
native lenses available
Alpha 1 II
✓ more lensesSony E
350+
native lenses available
Counts include current first-party and major third-party native autofocus lenses.
Use-case scoring
Which one for what?
Algorithmic scores from verified specs · 10 = best in class
Why pick one over the other
Reasons to choose
Zf
AF low-light limit
-10 EV vs -4 EV — lower is better
Subject recognition
Adds People, Birds, Dogs…
Codecs
Adds H.265/HEVC 8-bit, H.265/HEVC 10-bit, H.264/AVC 8-bit
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 144, 103, 49
ISO max (native)
64,000 vs 32,000 — higher is better
Card types
Adds MicroSD UHS-I
Burst (mechanical)
14 fps vs 10 fps — higher is better
Weight
630 g vs 743 g — lower is better
Reasons to choose
Alpha 1 II
Subject recognition
Adds Human, Animal, Bird…
Codecs
Adds XAVC HS, XAVC S, XAVC S-I…
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 136.1, 96.9, 82.9
AF points / zones
759 vs 273 — higher is better
EVF resolution
9,437,184 vs 3,690,000 — higher is better
Resolution
50.1 MP vs 24.5 MP — higher is better
4K max frame rate
120 fps vs 60 fps — higher is better
Internal RAW video
Only Alpha 1 II supports it
Both cameras share
- ✓AA filter — Both support aa filter
- ✓ISO min (native) — Both 100
- ✓Eye AF — Both support eye af
- ✓Animal / bird AF — Both support animal / bird af
- ✓Burst (electronic) — Both 30 fps
- ✓Pre-Capture / Pre-Release — Both support pre-capture / pre-release
Pros & cons at a glance
Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.
Zf
Pros
- ✓Beautiful retro design
- ✓273-point hybrid AF
- ✓8-stop IBIS
- ✓Fully articulated touchscreen
Cons
- –No grip extension standard
- –Mixed SD + MicroSD card slots
- –24.5MP only
Alpha 1 II
Pros
- ✓50MP stacked sensor
- ✓30fps blackout-free burst
- ✓8K 30p video
- ✓Best Sony AF
Cons
- –Very expensive
- –Complex menus
- –Large files
Full specifications
✓ = category winner
Frequently asked
Quick answers generated from verified specs.
Which is better for video, Zf or Alpha 1 II?
Alpha 1 II scores 9.5/10 versus 6.0/10 for Zf — 8K recording for future-proof footage.
What's the resolution difference between the Zf and Alpha 1 II?
Zf is 24.5 MP and Alpha 1 II is 50.1 MP, so the Alpha 1 II captures more detail for cropping and large prints.
Do the Zf and Alpha 1 II have in-body image stabilization?
Zf has 8-stop in-body image stabilization, while alpha 1 II has 8.5-stop in-body image stabilization.
Which shoots faster bursts — the Zf or the Alpha 1 II?
Zf reaches 30 fps electronic. Alpha 1 II reaches 30 fps electronic.
What's the weight difference between the Zf and Alpha 1 II?
Zf weighs 630 g and Alpha 1 II weighs 743 g, so the Zf is 113 g lighter.
Do the Zf and Alpha 1 II record 4K video?
Zf: 4K up to 60p. Alpha 1 II: 8K (max), 4K up to 120p.
Are the Zf and Alpha 1 II weather sealed?
Zf: Yes. Alpha 1 II: Yes.
Which has better battery life?
Rated battery life is 380 shots (CIPA) for the Zf and 520 shots for the Alpha 1 II, giving the Alpha 1 II the edge.
How much does each cost?
Zf launched at $2,049 and Alpha 1 II at $6,499. The Zf is $4,450 less.
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed May 2026.
Product images courtesy of Nikon and Sony press materials.